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Read the excerpt from part two of Trifles.
MRS. HALE. It's log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder if she was goin' to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps
have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.)
SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)
What is ironic about this excerpt?
The men laugh at the women, and the women find themselves feeling very embarrassed by this.
The men believe the women are incapable of discovering anything of substance when, in fact, they are the ones who
discover evidence.
Although they are considered to be good, knowledgeable homemakers, the women are puzzled by which stitching
technique was used in the quilt.
O Although the women are in Mrs. Wright's kitchen, they are unfamiliar with many of the items that they find.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
In the given excerpt from "Trifles," the irony lies in the fact that the men laugh at the women's conversation about quilting, considering it trivial, while the women are actually making meaningful discoveries. The men dismiss the women's discussion about Mrs. Wright's quilting as insignificant, as seen when the Sheriff sarcastically repeats Mrs. Hale's words. The men's laughter at the women's domestic conversation reveals their patronizing attitude towards women's interests and capabilities.

On the other hand, the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, demonstrate their attentiveness and understanding of Mrs. Wright's situation through their observations in the household. Despite being underestimated by the men, the women uncover crucial evidence that sheds light on Mrs. Wright's state of mind and potentially implicates her in the crime.

Therefore, the irony in this excerpt lies in the contrast between the men's belittling of the women's actions and the women's ability to discern significant details that may lead to a deeper understanding of the case. This highlights the theme of gender roles and the underestimated intelligence and intuition of women in a male-dominated society.

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